24 Hours of Le Mans – Ferrari 499P driver line-ups announced
Ferrari has revealed the names of its talented, experienced, fast and tough drivers destined for the Hypercar class in the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans Centenary.
Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen are set to share the wheel of the #50 Ferrari 499P, and Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado and Antonio Giovinazzi will take the #51 sister car.
Head of Ferrari GT Sporting Activities, Antonello Coletta: "With the choice of crews, we have completed the last step of the programme ahead of our debut at Sebring. Since the 499P’s first shakedown in July, we have worked non-stop involving the drivers of the Ferrari family. The decision regarding our chosen drivers relates not only to the races we will contest, but also to the growth that will continue during the championship. We are very clear about what we can ask of them concerning development and consistency, not just speed."
"We will continue to fight as a team."
James Calado
Antonio Fuoco (age 26) has quickly emerged as a top talent in endurance racing. Along with Spanish driver Miguel Molina (age 33), he won the 8 Hours of Bahrain, earning Ferrari the 2022 FIA World Endurance GT Manufacturers title. Molina, a 2021 European Le Mans Series champion, brings experience and determination to the line-up. The career of Danish driver Nicklas Nielsen (age 25) skyrocketed thanks to the Ferrari Challenge, and since 2018, he has secured at least one continental or world championship title at the wheel of Ferrari.
As consecutive two-time FIA World Endurance GT Drivers trophy winners (for a total of three in their respective careers), Italian driver Alessandro Pier Guidi (age 39) and the Brit James Calado (age 33) are gearing up to take on the Hypercar class. The duo will be joined by fast Italian driver Antonio Giovinazzi (age 29) competing in his first full FIA WEC season after participating in the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Alessandro Pier Guidi: "I am very proud to have been chosen as one of the six drivers to race the Hypercar, a car whose importance – also historical – is very clear to us. Driving an official Ferrari makes you proud, but the 499P is a step further. There are high expectations, even more so because we are racing for Ferrari. We have a big season ahead, but I am preparing hard to be ready. Sebring is just around the corner, but we still have tests to be ready for the first race, although our actual level will become apparent with the European races."
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